A 6-year-old child on South Main Street fell down a flight of stairs, about 15 feet, and was unconscious but breathing when Mercy EMS arrived.

With a storm coming, a Mercy ambulance is hurrying to the airport so that the child can be taken to a hospital by Mercy Flight before a storm hits the area.

There is a 10-minute window available.

The child was reportedly reviving during transport.

UPDATE 10:07 p.m.: Mercy Flight in route to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Above, President Stuart Steiner delivers his commencement speech to the 2011 graduates of Gensee Community College.

Steiner is finishing out his final academic year as president of GCC.

After the jump, a list of graduates highlighted by the college.

UPDATE: We've added Dr. Steiner's speech after the jump.

Djibril Gueye -- An international student from Dakar, Senegal, Djibril came to GCC for a degree in Sports Management and to learn how to apply business principals to the vast sport industry. After graduation, Djibril plans to transfer his credits to Brooklyn College and continue his education. Ultimately, he wants to use his education along with his love of sports to become a professional athlete’s agent. Djibril played on the Men’s Soccer team at GCC, proudly wearing #24 on his jersey throughout their victorious 15-1 season. His favorite instructor at GCC was Business Professor Barb Shine, and his favorite class will remain BUS 225, Entrepreneurship. After graduation, he says he will miss spending time in the college’s library.

Krystie Mary Laurey -- A stellar student-athlete, Krystie hails from Horseheads, NY, where she graduated from high school with Honors and was a member of the National Honor’s Society. She is earning her General Studies degree from GCC also with Honors, and she plans to transfer to a yet-to-be-named four-year college or university. Alongside her academic achievements, Krystie has made significant contributions to the Lady Cougars Basketball team where she played guard and small forward with the team going 18-12 this past season. She was awarded “Player of the Year” in 2011, and received the Coaches Award, Scholar Athlete Award and was the 2nd Team All-American Nominee. While her dream is to play with the Women’s NBA, she also has her sights on becoming a sports agent.

Lori A. Mould -- As a nontraditional student at age 48, Lori embraces every educational opportunity that comes her way. With dual GCC degrees in Communication and Media Arts and Fine Arts, Lori has been involved with numerous college activities and received numerous awards. She currently is the student representative to the college’s Board of Trustees, but previously she served as SGA president. She received: the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence 2009-2010; GCC Board of Trustees Award; SGA Award; Phi Theta Kappa International Most Distinguished Regional Officer (2009-2010); Phi Theta Kappa International Most Distinguished Regional Officer Team (2009-2010); Phi Theta Kappa International Most Distinguished Chapter Officer (2010-2011); Phi Theta Kappa International Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Team; Omega Nu Chapter Award for the Quiet Hero; New York Phi Theta Most Distinguished Regional Officer (2009-2010); and All-USA New York All Academic First Team. She was on the President's List for all eight semesters; Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for seven semesters; RACCE Outstanding Adult Student for two years; GCC Student of the Month, Student of the Semester, and  Volunteer of the Month. She plans to continue her education at Empire State College as well as her volunteer work in Louisiana, which includes increasing awareness about the environmental and social issues in that area.

Thao Hoang Phuong -- An international student from Ha Noi, Viet Nam, Thao is earning a degree in Business Administration from GCC. She has remained on the President’s List since the Fall of 2009. Thao is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, undertaking responsibilities of the Public Relations secretary. She was also a founding member and the vice president of Education for the college’s newly formed Toastmasters International Club. She is a member of Who’s Who Among American Students in American Universities and Colleges. Thao completed the Leadership Certificate program along with the Student Development Series for which she received the Student Development Award. As a resident assistant at College Village and a member of the Student Government Association, Thao was given the Respect Award at the college for her trustworthiness, dependability, cheerfulness and willingness to go above and beyond expected tasks. She plans to transfer to a four-year school to major in Finance and one day return to Viet Nam to continue to develop her family’s business while working in finance, banking and education.

Leah Reino -- As the first Biotechnology student from GCC to study in Brisbane, Australia, Leah is an overachiever with numerous accomplishments, including several honors for her writing skills. She gives credit to her first English professor at GCC for challenging her to be a better writer. Last year, her entry was chosen for First Place in the David A. Garfinkel Essay Contest, sponsored by the New York State Court of Appeals. She’s a two-time winner of the GCC Student Poetry Contest and also took home First Place in the Literary Art Category in the Earth Day Art Contest. She placed in the top 10 (out of 1,300) in the nationwide NISOD Student Essay Contest for her piece, “Professor Weston and the Last Crusade.” Leah has been in Who’s Who in American Universities and colleges from 2009 to 2011. She’s made the President’s list and the Dean’s list for a number of semesters during her studies, and was awarded Student of the Semester in the spring of 2008 at the Arcade Campus Center. Perhaps most prestigiously, was her receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award this spring. Formerly a homeschooled student in Franklinville, Leah came to GCC for the Abilities to Benefit program, which allowed her to get her high-school equivalency. She plans to transfer to a four-year school to ultimately earn a Ph.D and pursue a career in biomedical sciences, cancer, and/or genetic research. Leah is also a graduate of GCC’s Honors Program, which prompted her to complete a number of projects including a paper on World War II, an anthology of poetry and artwork, and a research project on the genetic diversity of red-tailed hawks. Her blog -- including some stellar photos from her travels in Australia and New Zealand -- are available at: http://gccblogs.wordpress.com/

Joseff James Brockmann Smith – As his family is from Albion, NY, Joseff came to GCC because he wanted to stay close to home to remain involved in local church ministries. While Joseff remains open to change, for now, he plans to transfer to a four-year school to obtain his bachelor’s degree after studying at GCC for Teacher Education with a Coaching Certificate. Along with his faith, Joseff has dedicated himself to being a scholar-athlete, earning Male Scholar Athlete of the Year and Academic Athlete of the Week awards. Although he’s quite humble about his achievements, Joseff has also been Student of the Month, NJCAA Academic All American, Academic All Region, and named to the NYS 2nd All Academic Team. He is also a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award as well as the Nicolas J. Georgian Scholarship Award. As a member of the Men’s Soccer Team and the Christian Students United group, Joseff says he always does his best to serve others, practice his faith, and consistently looks for opportunities to make a positive difference. He has three siblings who have also chosen to study at GCC.

Dr. Steiner's speech:

GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COMMENCEMENT 2011
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  DR. STUART STEINER
MAY 22, 2011

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS FOR INVITING ME TO BE THIS YEAR’S COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER.  THERE ARE FEW HONORS THAT A COLLEGE PRESIDENT CHERISHES MORE THAN RECEIVING THIS TYPE OF INVITATION.  IT IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL TO ME AS I CONCLUDE MY FORTY-FOURTH YEAR AT GCC AND MY THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR AS PRESIDENT.

SINCE THIS IS YOUR GRADUATION, I ASKED A NUMBER OF YOU WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO TALK ABOUT.  MANY OF YOU ASKED ME TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY TIME AND EXPERIENCES AT THE COLLEGE AND OTHERS ASKED ME TO SHARE THE ROAD MAP I FOLLOWED IN MY LIFE AND CAREER.

SO, I WILL SHARE SOME OF MY STORY WITH YOU.   BUT I WILL ALSO TELL YOU THAT I DID NOT HAVE A ROADMAP AND I NEVER EXPECTED TO HAVE A CAREER IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND I CERTAINLY NEVER EXPECTED TO BE A COLLEGE PRESIDENT.

LET ME SHARE SOME FAMILY BACKGROUND WITH YOU SO YOU MIGHT BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY MY PARENTS PLACED SUCH A HIGH VALUE ON EDUCATION.   MY MOTHER’S PARENTS IMMIGRATED TO THE US FROM RUSSIA IN THE LATER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY.  THEY CAME THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND AND LATER SETTLED IN BALTIMORE.  THEY LIVED AND WORKED IN WHAT WAS CALLED A “BLUE COLLAR” NEIGHBORHOOD.  MY FATHER’S PARENTS LIVED IN AUSTRIA AND WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD, THERE WAS MUCH POLITICAL UNREST IN HIS TOWN.  THE SITUATION BECAME SO BAD THAT HIS PARENTS PUT HIM ON A SHIP, ALONE, SO HE COULD COME TO THE UNITED STATES AND LIVE WITH AN UNCLE.  HE GREW UP IN CHICAGO AND AS A TEEN ENLISTED IN THE US ARMY.

MY MOM’S PARENTS WERE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE AND MY MOM AND DAD WERE THE SAME, DOING HARD WORK AND WORKING LONG HOURS.  HOWEVER, THEY ALWAYS EXPRESSED TWO DEEP BELIEFS THAT I WOULD CONTINUALLY HEAR AND I NOW PASS ON TO YOU – FIRST, EDUCATION IS THE KEY FOUNDATION FOR WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO,  AND WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO – DO SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL IS SATISFYING AND THAT YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR DOING. 

I WAS THE YOUNGER OF TWO BOYS, BORN DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.  WE HAD VERY MODEST RESOURCES – BUT I NEVER FELT “POOR” SINCE ALL OF OUR FRIENDS LIVED IN A SIMILAR FASHION.  WE DIDN’T HAVE ANY CENTRAL HEATING, BUT WE HAD A COAL STOVE.  I THOUGHT THAT WAS HOW MOST FAMILIES LIVED.  WE DIDN’T HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY SO WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND LATER IN COLLEGE, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN A BREWERY DURING SUMMERS, SELL NEWSPAPERS, SELL PROGRAMS AT THE NAVY FOOTBALL GAMES, WORK IN A PHARMACY, WORK AT THE POST OFFICE AND, BEST OF ALL, BE A SCORECARD VENDOR WHEN THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES RETURNED TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES TO PLAY BASEBALL IN THE MID 1950’S.  THERE WAS NO PATTERN OF PLANNING HERE.  WE DID WHAT WAS NECESSARY TO GET TO THE NEXT DAY, WEEK OR MONTH.

WHEN I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL, I HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO BUT MANY OF MY FRIENDS WERE EITHER GETTING THE TYPE OF JOBS THAT DIDN’T ESPECIALLY APPEAL TO ME OR GOING OFF TO COLLEGE.  COLLEGE SEEMED THE BETTER OPTION AND, AT A COST OF LESS THAN $100 A SEMESTER, I ENROLLED AT BALTIMORE JUNIOR COLLEGE – NOW BALTIMORE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  I STILL DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO DO, BUT WHAT I DID ACCOMPLISH WAS TO MAKE MY PARENTS VERY HAPPY --- THEIR SON WAS GOING TO COLLEGE – AND SEEING THEM HAPPY ABOUT THIS GAVE ME A DEEP SENSE OF PRIDE AND SATISFACTION. 

GRADUATION FROM BJC WAS AN EXCITING TIME FOR MY FAMILY.  MY BROTHER HAD JOINED THE AIR FORCE AND NOW I WAS NOT ONLY THE FIRST ONE IN THE FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE, BUT I WAS THE FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATE IN THE FAMILY.  I THINK BEING THE FIRST PERSON IN THE FAMILY TO GRADUATE COLLEGE MAY BE A SIMILAR STORY FOR MANY OF YOU WHO ARE GRADUATING TODAY.

NOW I WAS FOCUSED IN ON A PLAN – RIGHT.  SAD TO SAY THE ANSWER WAS STILL NO.  I WAS NOW LOOKING AT MY OPTIONS.  I WAS FORTUNATE – I HAD DONE WELL ACADEMICALLY AT BJC WHILE ALSO PLAYING ON THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS TEAMS.  AS A RESULT, I RECEIVED SOME SCHOLARSHIP MONEY OFFERS AND SINCE I HAD FRIENDS THAT WERE GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND MARYLAND WAS WILLING TO TRANSFER ALL OF MY CREDITS AND ACCEPT ME WITH THIRD YEAR STANDING AS A BUSINESS MAJOR, I ENTHUSIASTICALLY ACCEPTED THE OFFER.  I WAS NOW 20 – AND I STILL LACKED A CLEAR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.  TWO YEARS LATER, I WAS GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY – WITH MUCH EXCITEMENT AND THE PLEASURE OF ONCE AGAIN SEEING MY PARENTS SO EXCITED AND PROUD OF THAT MOMENT.  I THINK THEY ENJOYED THIS SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF MY COLLEGE WORK SO MUCH BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD TALKED ABOUT MY ENTIRE LIFE. 

NOW HERE IS WHERE CIRCUMSTANCES CAME IN AND IMPACTED ON MY FUTURE FAR MORE THAN ANY DETAILED PLANNING ON MY PART.  THE DRAFT WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME I GRADUATED, AND I HAD BEEN SERVING IN THE ARMY RESERVES AND AT SOME POINT I HAD TO GO INTO THE ARMY FOR SIX MONTHS OF ACTIVE ARMY DUTY – BUT THEY COULDN’T TELL ME WHEN I WOULD BE CALLED TO SERVE.

I LIKED WORKING WITH PEOPLE SO, WHILE WAITING FOR THE CALL TO ACTIVE DUTY, BECAUSE I NOW HAD A DEGREE IN HAND, I WAS OFFERED AND I TOOK A JOB AS A SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER IN THE CHILDREN’S DIVISION OF WHAT WAS THEN CALLED THE BALTIMORE WELFARE DEPARTMENT.  I ENJOYED THE WORK I WAS DOING THERE, ESPECIALLY WORKING WITH THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.  AFTER TAKING A LEAVE FROM MY JOB TO DO MY SIX MONTHS OF ACTIVE ARMY DUTY, I RETURNED TO MY WORK AT THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT.  I WANTED TO DO MORE THAN JUST BE A CASE WORKER BUT FOUND THAT TO HAVE ANY POSITION THAT COULD HAVE REAL IMPACT IN TRYING TO CHANGE SOME BASIC THINGS AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, YOU NEEDED TO HAVE YOUR MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE.  NOW A PLAN WAS STARTING TO FORM.

I ENROLLED IN GRADUATE SCHOOL AND EARNED MY MSW FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.  GRADUATION DAY AND CEREMONIES ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT GREAT JOY TO MY PARENTS AND MY WIFE ROZ WHO I HAD MARRIED A YEAR EARLIER.  WITH MY NEW DEGREE, I WAS NOW QUALIFIED TO ASSUME A POSITION WITH INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY AND WAS ASKED TO SERVE AS THE DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE COURT SERVICES.  WITH MY NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, I WAS BEING URGED TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL AND TAKE AT LEAST SOME LAW CLASSES IF I REALLY WANTED TO HAVE A LARGER IMPACT IN HELPING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT WERE MOVING THROUGH THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND COURT SYSTEM.  MY PARENTS ALWAYS SAID TOO MUCH EDUCATION WILL NEVER HARM YOU – BUT TOO LITTLE COULD POSSIBLY LIMIT YOUR OPPORTUNITIES AND, IN MY CASE, THEY WERE RIGHT AGAIN.  I STARTED TO TAKE LAW COURSES IN THE EVENING WHILE MAINTAINING MY JOB IN THE DAY –THEN CHANCE STEPPED IN AGAIN.  ON A TRAIN RIDE TO A MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA, I MET UP WITH A PERSON THAT WAS THE DEAN OF STUDENTS AT BALTIMORE JUNIOR COLLEGE WHEN I WENT THERE.  SHE INTRODUCED ME TO A FRIEND WHO WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE BALTIMORE JUNIOR COLLEGE’S EVENING PROGRAM.  HE SAID IF I WAS INTERESTED, HE HAD SOME PART-TIME TEACHING OPENINGS FOR SOMEONE TO TEACH INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY COURSES. 

I TOOK HIM UP ON HIS OFFER AND WAS NOW TEACHING AN EVENING SOCIOLOGY COURSE, TAKING EVENING COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE LAW SCHOOL, AND DOING MY WORK AS THE DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE COURT SERVICES.  MY WIFE’S PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE IN AGREEING TO ALLOW ME TO DO ALL OF THESE THINGS MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE. 

AS A SIDE NOTE, THE PERSON THAT I MET ON THE TRAIN AND WHO HIRED ME WAS DR. ALFRED C. O’CONNELL, WHO LATER BECAME THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF GCC.  I TAUGHT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AT BJC AND ONE DAY RECEIVED A CALL FROM DR. O’CONNELL ASKING IF I WOULD CONSIDER CHANGING MY CAREER DIRECTION AND JOINING HIM AT HIS NEW COLLEGE IN MARYLAND WHERE HE WAS JUST APPOINTED PRESIDENT.  HE OFFERED ME A POSITION AS DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT.  WE NOW HAD TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND IT WAS GOING TO BE A SERIOUS CAREER MOVE, BUT I ACCEPTED THE JOB.  I FINISHED MY LAW SCHOOL CLASSES, AND GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL AND WAS CONTEMPLATING EITHER A LAW CAREER OR CONTINUING TO WORK IN THE STUDENT SERVICE AREA.  I LATER EARNED MY MASTERS AND DOCTORATE IN HIGHER EDUCATION FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.  NOW I HAD A CLEAR CAREER PLAN – RIGHT.   WELL, NOT EXACTLY.  THE OPTIONS FOR MY FUTURE PLANS BROADENED WHEN DR. O’CONNELL TOOK A NEW POSITION AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND ASKED ME TO JOIN HIM AS GENESEE’S FIRST DEAN OF STUDENTS.  I NOW HAD THREE PRESCHOOLERS, HAD NEVER WORKED IN NEW YORK, AND HAD NO IDEA WHERE BATAVIA, NEW YORK WAS LOCATED.  DR. O’CONNELL WAS A MASTER SALESPERSON AND HE CONVINCED MYSELF AND ROZ THAT THE CHANCE TO BE PART OF STARTING A NEW COLLEGE WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME.  HE WAS CORRECT ABOUT THAT.

A YEAR AFTER GENESEE STARTED OPERATIONS, DR. O’CONNELL ASKED ME TO ACCEPT THE POSITION OF CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE DEAN.  IT WAS AN EXCITING TIME.  SEVEN YEARS LATER, IN 1975 WHEN THE PRESIDENT RESIGNED TO TAKE ANOTHER POSITION, THE BOARD SELECTED ME TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WERE SEEMINGLY UNRELATED, SUCH AS MY PAST WORK EXPERIENCE AND MY EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND HAD NOW COME TOGETHER. 

NOW, STANDING UP HERE TODAY, 36 YEARS LATER, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THIS EVENT WAS TRULY BEYOND ANY EXPECTATIONS THAT I HAD FOR MYSELF WHEN I TOOK MY FIRST JOB IN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  MY DEEPEST HOPE IS THAT EACH OF YOU WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO REACH BEYOND THE INITIAL GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ESTABLISHED FOR YOURSELF.

YOU ARE PART OF A COLLEGE THAT HAS SUCCEEDED AND GROWN BEYOND THE WILDEST EXPECTATIONS OF ITS FOUNDERS.  SUCCEEDING BEYOND EXPECTATIONS IS PART OF OUR HERITAGE.

TALK ABOUT GOING WELL BEYOND EXPECTATIONS – LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  ALMOST NO ONE, EXCEPT COMMITTED CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS, THOUGHT THAT GENESEE COUNTY WOULD APPROVE FUNDING FOR A COLLEGE OR THAT IT WOULD BE A SUCCESS.  WHEN I MOVED HERE IN 1967 AND MY FIRST OFFICE WAS IN A CONDEMNED URBAN RENEWAL BUILDING IN A FORMER LIQUOR STORE, I WAS STILL EXCITED ABOUT RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR OUR FIRST CLASS BUT MY EXPECTATIONS WERE VERY MODEST.  WHEN WE CONVERTED A FORMER DISCOUNT STORE INTO OUR FIRST COLLEGE CAMPUS BUILDING, MY EXPECTATIONS WERE STILL MODEST – BUT I WAS GETTING EXCITED.  THEN WE OPENED OUR DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEPTEMBER 1967 AND 378 FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND 217 PART-TIME STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR THAT FIRST SEMESTER.  AT THAT POINT BOTH MY EXCITEMENT AND MY EXPECTATIONS BEGAN TO GROW.

IN THOSE FIRST FEW YEARS, SOME OF MY FRIENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND EVEN IN THE STATE UNIVERSITY’S CENTRAL OFFICE TOLD ME IN CONFIDENCE THAT THEY HAD NO EXPECTATION THAT THIS NEW COLLEGE WOULD GENERATE ENOUGH STUDENTS OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SUCCEED.  THAT’S WHAT THE ‘EXPERTS’ SAID.  BUT MY EXPECTATIONS KEPT GROWING – WITH OUR FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF 78 STUDENTS IN 1969, THEN WITH APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR OUR NEW CAMPUS, NEW PROGRAMS, AND ENROLLMENT GROWTH WITH STUDENTS ENROLLED FROM COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD THAT TODAY MAKES US THE 16TH LARGEST SUNY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN TERMS OF SIZE.  I AM PROUD THAT TODAY’S GRADUATING CLASS IS MADE UP OF CITIZENS OF NINETEEN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD – THE FLAGS BEHIND ME REPRESENT EACH OF THOSE 19 COUNTRIES. 

THE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION THAT OUR FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS HAVE EARNED NATIONALLY, STATEWIDE, AND LOCALLY EXCEEDED THE EXPECTATIONS OF EVEN THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC COLLEGE SUPPORTERS.  ALL OF THESE THINGS AND MANY MORE WERE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL BUT A FEW TRUE BELIEVERS.  AS I SAID, MY SELECTION AS PRESIDENT IN 1975 AND MY INAUGURATION WERE WAY BEYOND THE EARLY EXPECTATIONS THAT I HAD FOR MYSELF WHEN I BECAME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES.  FOR MY PARENTS, IT WAS ONCE AGAIN A CONFIRMATION THAT A GOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION CAN HELP TAKE YOU TO THE TOP OF YOUR PROFESSION.  IT WAS ALSO A TIME THAT MY WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN COULD ENJOY. 

I ONLY REGRET THAT MY WIFE ROZ, WHO PASSED AWAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IS NOT HERE TO ENJOY ALL OF THE ACCOLADES THAT HER UNSELFISH SUPPORT OF ME AND THE COLLEGE HELPED TO GENERATE.

I ALSO WISH WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE SPACE TO BRING ALL 22,500 OF OUR GRADUATES TOGETHER TO HEAR ABOUT HOW THEY PLANNED AND USED THEIR GENESEE EDUCATION AS A FOUNDATION FOR THEIR LIVES.  YES, I SAID OVER 22,500 GRADUATES AND THIS YEAR YOU ARE PART OF THE LARGEST GRADUATING CLASS IN THE HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE – TOTALING ALMOST 900 GRADUATES. 

WHILE I WILL LEAVE MY JOB AS PRESIDENT OF GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE,   I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL FIND MY WAY BACK TO THE PING PONG TABLES IN THE STUDENT UNION, AND MY MEMORIES OF YOU, THE STUDENTS, WILL NEVER FADE NOR WILL THE MEMORIES OF THE 39 BOARD MEMBERS I HAVE WORKED WITH OR OF THE HUNDREDS OF FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS THAT HELPED BUILD THE COLLEGE.  BUT WHEN EVERYTHING IS SAID AND DONE, IT IS YOU, THOSE GRADUATING TODAY, AND YOUR PREDECESSORS THAT HAVE MADE LIFE FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHERS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH YOU SO

ENJOYABLE.  I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT YOUR EDUCATION WILL SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION FOR HELPING YOU SUCCEED IN LIFE, GOING INTO A FIELD OF WORK THAT YOU FIND ENJOYABLE AND WORKING AT SOMETHING THAT NOT ONLY EARNS YOU A LIVING, BUT SOMETHING YOU ENJOY AND HAVE A PASSION FOR DOING.

REMEMBER, YOUR GRADUATION TODAY FROM GCC, LIKE MY GRADUATION FROM BALTIMORE JUNIOR COLLEGE, OVER FIFTY YEARS AGO, SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT AS THE END OF YOUR FORMAL EDUCATION, BUT MERELY AS A FOUNDATION UPON WHICH TO BUILD YOUR FUTURE CAREER.  

HOW DO I KNOW?   BECAUSE MY MOM TOLD ME THAT SAME THING 54 YEARS AGO AND SHE REMINDED ME OF THAT ON THE EVENING OF MY INAUGURATION – VERY SUBTLY AND ONLY AS A MOTHER COULD DO IT.  I SAID YES MOM, YOU WERE RIGHT. 

EACH OF YOU HAS GOOD REASON TO TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TODAY.  MANY OF YOU HAVE MET OR EVEN EXCEEDED YOUR OWN EXPECTATIONS AND, THUS, YOU HAVE A SPECIAL REASON TO CELEBRATE.  MAY THIS DAY BE THE BEGINNING OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF AND THAT WE HAVE FOR EACH OF YOU.  WE WISH EACH OF YOU MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS.

I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVILEGE OF SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AND ALLOWING ME TO SHARE SOME MEMORIES WITH YOU.

Erika L. Brumsted, 24, of 5079 Batavia-Bethany Townline Road, East Bethany, and Steven C. Shaw, 24, of 2692 Dunham Road, Varysburg, are charged with petit larceny. Brumsted and Shaw are accused of shoplifting from Tops Market.

Terry David Czworka, 48, of Black St. Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, moved from lane unsafely, possession/consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Czworka was stopped at 1:19 a.m., Saturday, on Asbury Road, Pavilion, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Timothy John Hagen, 27, of Walden Creek, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Hagen is accused of violating and order of protection.

Brian P. O'Grady, 46, of Lymon Road, Bergen, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. O'Grady is accused of violating an order of protection. O'Grady allegedly made several phone calls to his estranged wife that did not pertain to their child.

Robert K. Geandreau, 38, of 404 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Geandreau was stopped at 7:54 p.m., Saturday, on Ellicott Street by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Brenden M. Mullen, 26, of 11 Holmes Ave., Batavia, is charged with DWI, no inspection and refusal to take a breath test. Mullen was stopped at 2:38 a.m., Saturday, by Officer Eric Dibble.

Overhead on the scanner: "I hope everybody's got their windows up. The rain's coming in sheets eastbound."

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Same voice, "I'm in the middle of a monsoon."

Typically, only about 20 to 25 percent of registered voters show up at the polls.

What do you say, Genesee County, should we aim for 30 percent, or higher?

The Batavian "Get Out The Vote" effort is up to more than $1,600 in pledges for various local charities.

If Genesee County leads all counties in the NY-26 in voter turn out, the following donations will be made:

The Batavian, $100 to the Genesee Justice Foundation.

Jeff Allen, $100 to Care-A-Van Ministries.

Dan Jones, $26 dollars to Care-A-Van Ministries and another $26 dollars to the USO.

Dave Olsen, $25 tor GJ and $50 for The Loyola Recovery Foundation.

Joanne Rock has pledge $25 to GJ.

Lorie Longhany, $26 to the Child Advocacy Center wing of Genesee Justice.

Ricky G. Hale, a local plumber, has pledged $100 to Genesee Justice.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman has pledged $1,000 -- with $500 going to the Genesee Justice Foundation and $500 going to Justice For Children GLOW Foundation. Any other members of the legal community like to step forward?

Ken Mistler pledged $100 for Volunteers for Animals.

County Clerk Don Read has pledged $100 for Crossroads House. 

Remember, it doesn't matter who you vote for. You can vote for one of the four candidates on the ballot -- Jane Corwin, Jack Davis, Kathy Hochul or Ian Murphy -- or you can write in Jeff Allen or Joanne Rock. Or you can turn in a blank ballot.  

The important thing is to vote. Do it for Genesee County. Do it for your favorite local charity. Do it for democracy.

Ad from Jack Davis

Ad from Kathy Hochul

And that's all that I could find on YouTube.

• Get-out-the-vote drive reaches peak‎, Buffalo News
• Countdown: Five things to watch in NY-26, National Review Online
• Democrats Seek ‘Major Upheaval’ in New York Race Driven by Medicare Fight, Bloomberg
• Second poll finds Hochul with lead in N.Y.-26‎, Daily Caller
• Warning to Republican presidential hopefuls: Support Ryan plan — or else, Washington Post
• Election seen as test for Ryan, Medicare, Washington Times
• Poll Favors Democrat in Special Election, Wall Street Journal
• A word on the News’ response to misleading ad, The Tonawanda News
• Democratic ads also misleading, group says, Buffalo News
• Paper targets Chamber over Corwin ad, Politico
• Go with Jack Davis, Niagara Gazette
• NY-26: Corwin and Hochul on Medicare: The Deep Cuts, Slate
• The Ryan Referendum: Neither the Republican nor the Democrat in New York's congressional race is too excited about the GOP plan for Medicare, Slate
• NY-26: Batavia Interlude, Slate
• Chris Grant Will Be Wearing The Corwin Defeat, Maelstrom In WNY
• Phil Corwin Is Pissed!, Maelstrom In WNY
• Jack Davis for Congress NY CD-26: A Real Live Paleo-Democrat in Tea Party clothing?, LibertarianRepublican.net

A one-vehicle rollover accident with no injuries has been reported in the area of 986 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

The driver is reportedly out of the vehicle and walking around.

Alabama Fire Department dispatched.

UPDATE 7:43 a.m.: An assistant chief on scene reports that "he didn't roll it, he just went off the side of the road." No injuries. Alabama equipment held in the hall.

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More than an hour into our chat on Sunday afternoon, Jack Davis looked at my iPhone and said, "That's probably made with Gorilla Glass."

It is.

Davis, founder and president of I Squared R in Akron, then explained that his very first customer was Corning, the inventor of Gorilla Glass.

The recipe for Gorilla Glass -- a very tough, durable type of glass -- sat on a shelf for decades until high-tech electronics such as flat-screen TVs and smart phones needed just such a product.

In order to manufacture the glass, Corning turned to Davis, whose company makes just the kind of silicon carbide heating elements Corning needed to start manufacturing Gorilla Glass for Apple and other companies.

When it came time to ship the elements, Dave found out they were going to Japan.

"It broke my heart," Davis said. "We don’t make those (iPhones) here, we don’t make the TVs, we don’t make flat screens. (The elements are) just another product we ship over there and they can back engineer it and that business will be gone."

Jack Davis is making his fourth attempt at winning a seat in Congress -- this time to replace Shirtless Chris Lee in a NY-26 special election -- for one reason, and one reason only: To save American jobs.

"We have to grow, dig or manufacture to produce wealth," Davis said. "Unless you do that, you’re just growing your debt. We have to make everything we use or consume."

Davis knows Batavia and knows what losing a manufacturing base can do to a community. Among his company's early customers were Sylvania and Doehler Jarvis.

"Batavia has been hit like many of the industrial cities have been," Davis said. "You have a lot of farms, but you did have a big manufacturing base.

"Cities and communities that have lost the jobs are a lot more receptive to my message of saving jobs and getting out of those free trade agreements," he added.

Davis isn't against all trade with foreign countries. He just thinks it should be fair trade. If we trade with another country, he said, that country should buy as much product from the U.S. as we buy from them. If not, they get slapped with a tariff on the difference.

A tariff that targets trade imbalance, he said, would address the uncompetitive practices of countries such as China, where the Yuan is artificially lowered by 40 percent against the dollar.

“Give the guy down the street a 40-percent advantage on you and you’re screwed," Davis said.

On top of that, the Chinese government gives its own corporations tax breaks not available to U.S. manufacturers and labor is 1/20th the cost that in the United States.

The U.S. needs to level the playing field, Davis said.

"There are plenty of entrepreneurs left in this country," Davis said. "Right now they're spending money overseas, rather than in this county, but if given a level playing field, they will come back."

Bring up just about any topic with Davis, and the conversation soon turns back to jobs and fair trade.

Asked about how he could help counties such as Genesee address its crumbling infrastructure problem, he said the solution is jobs, just as it is for most of the problems in the United States.

"Obama shouldn’t be talking about cutting services and increasing taxes," Davis said. "He should be addressing this trade imbalance. We have about $2 billion per day going overseas. That’s our wealth going off shore. Until that’s addressed, we’re going to continue to have problems, problems with Social Security, problems with Medicare, problems with the budget, problems with the deficit."

And if that wealth continues to flow overseas, Davis said, eventually China is going to own the United States.

"I’m a patriot. I love America," Davis said. "I see what’s happening to it. I think  what kind of future are we leaving our children? We’ve got a $14 trillion national debt, half of it’s owed to the Asians, and if we’re not manufacturing anything, we have no way to pay this debt, so they’re going to own America."

He says once the Chinese own all the multinational companies, they'll also own all the lobbyists in Washington.

“We already know (the government) is for sale to the highest bidder and the Chinese are going to have all the money," he said.

Davis came to his anti-unfettered trade position through 56 years of working in international trade, he said, and seeing more and more companies that he did business with shipping jobs overseas.

He didn't think, and still doesn't believe, that's a sustainable path for the United States.

And he doesn't buy the pro-free trade arguments that globalization of trade benefits the United States, too. The U.S. won't have anything to trade, he points out, if all of the manufacturing plants -- as 53,000 of them have already done -- keep shutting down.

In pointing to my iPhone, he raised the issue that even new technology depends on products manufactured in the United States. His heating elements are used not only for Gorilla Glass, but for manufacturing all sorts of flat glass, from window panes in skyscrapers to the windshields of cars as well as an essential tool for manufacturing solar cells.

The high-tech industry needs a strong manufacturing base in the United States to remain competitive globally.

"There was one guy, I think he was with the Commerce Department, who said there’s no difference between computer chips and potato chips and I’m like, 'Man, how stupid can you be?'" Davis said.

Davis believes both the Republicans and Democrats are selling out the United States. Both parties are beholding to the multinational corporations and even big labor -- traditionally a stalwart in the Democratic corner protecting American jobs -- has sold out the American worker. Their national leaders in Washington, he said, are more interested in organizing in foreign countries now.

"The managers for these large multinationals, they’re not loyal to America," Davis said. "They’re loyal to their stockholders and they’ll just take their business to the cheaper place to manufacture with no thought of American workers. They have all the advantages of being in America, but they’re not taking care of it."

Toward the end of our conversation, Davis talked more about the campaign. 

He is disappointed most of all in the Republicans.

He said he registered Republican when he first could vote. He's voted for Eisenhower, Reagan and both Bushes. He's given the Republicans money, and now they just lie about him.

"To have them come after me so viciously and tell so many lies about me, it was a big, big disappointment," he said. 

"I always thought they were the integrity party," he added. "They’re the party of the thugs. They even sent a thug after me."  (A reference to Jane Corwin's chief of staff, Michael Mallia, harassing Davis following a veterans' event in Greece, allegedly calling the former Marine a "coward" (a charge the Corwin campaign has made no attempt to refute.))

But even as some polls show Davis losing ground and coming in third, he's not giving up the fight. It's too important to him. He clearly thinks he's needed in Washington to save American jobs, even if Washington doesn't seem to want him.

"The lobbyists, they don’t want me in Washington, because I’m going to make changes," Davis said. "When I get there, I’ll be one of 435, but I will probably have the biggest mouth. I’m going to call these people out and they don’t like that."

NOTE: We were previously privileged to have Kathy Hochul visit The Batavian. Jane Corwin has been invited numerous times but has pretty much ignored the invitation. Ian Murphy was invited, but said he didn't have a car to make the trip to Batavia.

On Saturday evening, the Landmark Society of Genesee County handed out its annual architecture and preservation awards.

This year's winners were: Ben and Diane Bonarigo, adaptive reuse, for St. Mary’s Rectory, 18 Ellicott St., Batavia; William Steininger and Joan Bird for stained-glass window restoration and interior renovation, 9244 Upton Road, Batavia; Jennifer Weaver, for outstanding exterior paint treatment, 7083 N. Bergen Road, Bergen; James and Jillian Patric, outstanding exterior paint treatment, for 317 Washington Ave., Batavia; and, UMMC, Jerome Senior Apts., 16 Bank St., Batavia.

Pictures of the winners and full write-ups after the jump:

Benjamin and Diane Bonarigo
18 Ellicott St., Batavia, New York
Adaptive Reuse Award

When the former St. Mary’s rectory became available for sale, Diane Bonarigo had a vision of this building as elegant law offices for her husband, Ben, and his partner Robert McCutcheon. At the start, the Bonarigos were committed to saving and restoring the surviving architectural elements of the rectory. 

They worked closely with the City of Batavia Historic Preservation Committee and City Historian Larry Barnes to retain the building’s integrity. 

The building is located in a city-designated historic overlay district.

Built in 1857 as a private, single-family residence, it remained a private home until it was sold to St. Mary’s Church in 1905. It was used as a temporary church until St. Mary’s construction next door was completed in 1906. 

From 1906 to 1919, the maps show a change in the footprint of the building from one or more additions to the rear of the building. The footprint of the building has remained unchanged since 1919. It was used as a rectory until Bonarigo purchased the property in 2009 from the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. The purchase had to be approved by the Diocese.

Existing architectural details are highlighted with a four-color paint treatment.   Diane worked with Mossman’s to pick out an historically appropriate color scheme that would highlight the architectural details. The exterior displays elements of the Greek Revival style: a front-gabled low-pitched roof with a narrow band of cornice trim forming a closed triangular pediment. The tympanum is decorated with a semicircular sunburst ornament. This design is repeated on a smaller scale on the front porch roof. 

The building’s front and side porches have undergone alterations throughout the years. The latest changes to the front porch were made by the Bonarigos. They replaced the wrought iron supports with turned wooden posts and replaced the iron stair railing with wood shingled knee walls. There is a two-story bay window on the west side of the building.   

The Bonarigos added unobtrusive landscaping that would not distract focus from the building. 

On the rear of the building, the trim does not form a closed triangle. Rather, the returns give the illusion of a triangular shape at the gable end. A cantilevered second-story porch graces the east side of the building. To make the building handicapped accessible, a wheelchair lift was added to the existing side porch. A new entry door was installed to accommodate the width of a wheelchair. A handicapped accessible bathroom was added on the first floor.

Inside the building, there is a harmonious blend of old and new. In the front office, a desk hand-crafted by Ben blends in with the original style. On all of the new door openings, the Bonarigos matched the bull’s eye style of the existing trim. The rooms without wall-to-wall carpeting have beautiful parquet oak floors.

Another one of Ben’s projects was taking out all of the original brass door knobs, hand cleaning each one, then replacing them in the doors.

All of the cast iron radiators were in excellent condition and functional. With a fresh coat of paint, they add a decorative touch.

The conference room paneling had water damage from a leaky roof. Diane used a toothpaste concoction and elbow grease to restore the wood’s luster.

The front staircase has a walnut wood newel post, paneling and a decorative trim along the stringers. 

When the building was a rectory, the upstairs contained three suites to house the priests. The Bonarigos reconfigured the upper floor into offices, a private conference room, another waiting room, and file rooms.

Although not as elegant, the cellar is just as interesting. The staircase leading down has a bead board wall. 

Even with the record rainfall, the basement remained completely dry! The original tree trunk support beams remain intact. The Bonarigos jacked up the floors to correct the sagging and added structural supports.  

There is even a wine cellar in the basement. Thankfully, an interesting door there was not removed -- the pipes were plumbed through one of the windows.

This stained-glass window was removed from the original front door and replaced with the scales of justice motif — much more appropriate for a law firm.

The furniture is a stately blend of old and new. The new reproduction furniture is accented with pieces original to the rectory.  

Diane worked with Mossman’s to choose paint colors and wallpaper to complement the period and tasteful style of the building. She also picked out the window treatments. McCutcheon’s office is on the first floor.

With great pleasure, it is our honor to present Ben and Diane Bonarigo with a Historic Preservation Award for the Adaptive Reuse of the St. Mary’s Rectory.

James and Jillian Patric
317 Washington Ave.
Batavia, New York
Outstanding Exterior Paint Treatment Award

(Written by Laurie Oltramari)

James and Jillian Patric bought their house in November 2006. As I was told, Jillian liked the leaded glass windows so much, it was a major reason they bought the house.

The house was built in 1918. And although its sheer massing makes its mark on Washington Avenue, its painted details gave it the facelift that make passersby stop in their tracks. A rusticated stone foundation anchors the cross-gabled house. Although this is more likely a vernacular structure, meaning it was built by local crafts-persons, it certainly has Victorian Era elements such as the Palladian window in the front gable, the bay window at the stair landing, the interesting fretwork on the porch, and the leaded glass in the transom windows.

The house was built by McBride Steel as well as the adjacent house to the east, currently owned by Jay Gsell. The former owner was Kathy Horgan whose maiden name is McBride. So the Patrics are only the third owners of the house.

Mr. Patric received his first notification from the City of Batavia regarding the state of his house, specifically some broken pieces of wood. He disregarded the letter because honestly, when you’ve moved relatively recently, you have many other pending issues to address. His second notice stated that he was in a “delinquent category” and as such would face jail time of one day for every 15 days the owners did not paint the house.

Although he had every intention of painting it anyways, it was not efficient to paint the house without first fixing some of the clapboard siding. Luckily, he saw a house on Ellicott Avenue that had replaced some of their siding, and so Mr. Patric asked if he could take the old siding. He removed some of his siding and replaced it with the Ellicott Avenue’s.

After receiving estimates of upward $8,000, the Patric’s opted to paint the house themselves. He had Sparkle Wash, Rocco Della Penna, pressure-wash the house, scrape it, prime it and caulk it. He happened upon a 40 percent off sale at Sherwin Williams in August 2010. The paint would have cost nearly $1,300, but came out to be $700. James, with some help from family and friends, hand painted the front of the house, which included the trim and detail work. He sprayed the body of the house. He rented a lift from Skyworks.

In the end, he was able to paint the house over the course of 10 grueling days, for only $3,500 (which included the lift, work done by Sparkle Wash, and the paint)! James preferred blue and Jillian, a visual merchandiser with an eye for detail, chose the accent colors. The results are stunning.

James is a teacher at Oakfield Alabama and during the summer works in landscaping. As old houses go, there is always work to be done, but there is always so much potential. The Patrics have many ideas for the future of their home, but welcoming their first child in August will be their greatest pride.

The Landmark Society is pleased to present James and Jillian Patric with this Preservation Award for Outstanding Exterior Paint Treatment.

Jennifer Weaver and Dave Kuder
The Gifford Walker House
7083 N. Bergen Road, Bergen, New York
Outstanding Exterior Paint Treatment

(Written by Loren Pflaumer)

This two-story late carpenter Gothic home was built in 1870 by Aaron Gifford, the postmaster at the time, on his 100-acre farm in North Bergen. The unknown architect incorporated classic Gothic elements such as decorative hand-sawn verge boards, steep cross-gabled rooflines and vertical board-and-batten siding.  It has been written by the early architect Andrew Jackson Downing, that the use of vertical siding was considered more in keeping with the natural surroundings; the central reason Gothic style is generally found in rural settings and is sometimes referred to as Rural Gothic. It seems the designer also had an affinity for more uncommon elements when he incorporated the unusual ogee arches and 36-pane bay window. The home also boasts fluted Corinthian columns, and a second-floor balcony with a Gothic railing.

The Giffords sold the home and farm to the Walker family in 1891 in whose hands it remained until purchased at auction by William and Bonnie Perkins in 1986. The Walker family added two smaller rear wings to the home but did little else, and the structure fell into disrepair with shrubbery covering the main entrance. The last remaining Walker to occupy the home was Alice Walker who ran a foster home at the time. Alice loved and appreciated the historic property and spent many years trying to get it listed on the National Historic Register. The Gifford Walker Farm was designated and listed in 1986; unfortunately Alice was not living in the area when her goal was realized. To this day, Alice’s former foster children continue to revisit the home where they lived as children.

When the Perkins became the third family to own the home, it was with the intent of restoring and reselling or renting it. They spent many years updating the interior, resurrecting the overgrown front of the home and rebuilding the front steps. In 1991, the remainder of the restoration project was taken over by their daughter, Jennifer, when she moved in as a renter. When the house was finally finished in 2000, everyone was invested and attached.

Fortunately, Jennifer was able to purchase the property. She lived in the home for 10 years when it was clear the home was in need of a new paint job. In June of 2010, Jennifer and her fiancé Dave Kuder hired Paramount Painters to begin the tedious process of scraping, replacing boards and trim, priming and painting. As with many older homes, many of the wood and trim pieces had rotted and needed to be replaced.

Jennifer initially chose to paint the main body of the house green and white with a contrasting accent color, but midway through painting, decided the busyness of the carpenter Gothic style would be best presented in a monochromatic color scheme. Jennifer and Dave have also taken care to preserve the barn and remaining outbuildings. A barn restoration company was brought in to review the structure. The barn now has a new roof and has been freshly painted, with care taken to highlight the lettering indicating the previous owners.

Genesee County currently has only 19 listings on The National Register of Historic Places. The Landmark Society of Genesee County presents the Award for Outstanding Paint Treatment as well as our sincerest gratitude and thanks to Dave and Jennifer and her parents for rescuing and maintaining this important piece of local history.

United Memorial Medical Center Jerome Senior Apartments
16 Bank St., Batavia, New York
Adaptive Reuse 

(Written by Jill Babinski)

St. Jerome’s Hospital was constructed in the 1920s and operated as a hospital until 2000. On Jan. 1, 2000, St. Jerome’s Hospital and Genesee Memorial merged to form United Memorial Medical Center. Since the merger, the majority of the former St. Jerome’s hospital was underutilized. In 2007, United Memorial Medical Center opened the Jerome Center. The Jerome Center houses comprehensive outpatient diagnostic services, occupational medicine, as well as specialty and primary care services on the ground floor of the former hospital.

Noting that there was still a large portion of the former hospital that was not being used, as well as an anticipated increase in the senior population, United Memorial Medical Center began to explore the possibility of adapting the hospital to be reused as apartments for senior members of the community. This process began after a private company chose not to purchase the hospital for use as a nursing home and conversations soon took place with the Genesee County Economic Development Center with regard to development of housing for the needs of the senior population.

Conifer Development, a local development firm that specializes in adaptive reuse of old buildings such as hospital and schools, took on the project. Construction of the project began in October of 2009. Conifer Development renovated and adapted the top four floors of the former St. Jerome’s Hospital into a modern apartment building. As with any adaptive reuse project, surprises were many, but Conifer Development was able to keep the project on time and on budget.

Jerome Senior Apartments were remodeled to feature both one- and two-bedroom apartments for a total of 37 apartments. Amenities available include intercom access entry, fully equipped kitchens with energy efficient appliances, central air conditioning, elevator, community room, exercise room and a computer room. Support services are provided by United Memorial Medical Center. It should be noted that the apartments are within walking distance to the Senior Center, shopping, financial institutions and restaurants. 

For one walking by the Jerome Apartments, much appears to be the same as when the hospital was in full operation. One addition has been made to the south portion of the building. There is now an entrance way to the apartments near to the YMCA. 

Perhaps most importantly, the addition of senior housing in the community met a need both for living space and preservation and continuation of a neighborhood landmark.

Joan Bird and William Steininger
9244 Upton Road
Batavia, New York
Interior Renovation and Stained Glass Window Restoration Award

(Written by Cheryl Chmielowic)

Bill Steininger and Joan Bird purchased their home at 9244 Upton Road in the Town of Batavia in 2006. The original house was built in 1823 by Daniel and Electa Upton. The Upton’s daughter, Sarah Upton Edwards, updated the house in 1890 to the shingle style we now see.

As the story is told, Sarah didn’t want the railroad through her property and gave the New York Central a hard time about it. She finally agreed to hand over the land with the stipulation that they bring her trees she could plant. She ended up with quite a varied bunch including, Ginko, Katalba, Tulip, Chestnut, Kentucky Coffee, Sweet Gum, Tamerak and Austrian Pines.

The house changed ownership several times since, including a 78-year period in the Frink family. When Bill and Joan took ownership, the house was in a state of repair and restoration but had enough left to finish, keeping them busy for quite awhile!

Upon approaching the house, the hand carved wood panel on the front porch roof announces its name, Whitethorn, represented by the white thorn locust trees along the driveway. The carved wood panels appear in several locations around the exterior of the house and some that were removed have been assimilated into the newer construction of the workshop. The complex roof lines, multiple porches, porte-cocheres, and leaded and stained-glass windows give it a Victorian identity.

Details on the interior include a tin ceiling in the living room that is a reproduction of an 1890 pattern, installed by Bill. The dining room ceiling is a Bradbury & Bradbury design of hand-screened paper and in the center is a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century light fixture. Joan and Bill have restored the Eastlake style door hardware. Note the shape of the radiator -- it's round!

The absolute gems of this house are its windows. The beveled, clear leaded panes in the dining and living rooms were found out to be leaded crystal. These were still in good repair. Joan says that on a sunny day they shoot rainbows all around the room. There is a lovely stained-glass piece in the dining room with a quarter sawn oak hutch built around it. This window off the living room has also been restored.

The large stained-glass window in the foyer tells quite a story. The first winter Bill and Joan owned the house, Bill had to cover the entire window with Styrofoam insulation to keep the air from pouring in through the openings created by sinking panes. The wood had rotted and the caming had warped. There were no storm windows to protect it. Bill contacted Brennan Stained Glass Studio in Syracuse to see if they would be interested in the restoration. It just so happened that they were doing a job in Buffalo and could stop to look at it on their way back home.  They agreed to do the glass if Bill would take care of rebuilding the wood frame. 

The panes were taped to secure the glass and then laid on plywood doors for transport. All the glazing was removed with dental tools from the original lead caming. The bowed pieces were flattened. Everything was cleaned and re-glazed. 

The 12-light window is stunning in its shades of light golds, blues and pinks. Through force of will, skill, and quite a few dollars, Joan and Bill managed to do what many could not. The Landmark Society of Genesee County recognizes their efforts with an award for the Interior Renovation and Restoration of the Window, but the true reward comes every time they behold the beauty of leaded light.

Deputy Tim Wescott spent a few hours at Target on Saturday creating ID cards for children. The session includes getting their weight and height, getting fingerprints and snapping a picture. The parents receive (within seconds) a plastic, driver's license type of card with the identifying information of their children. The information is kept on file by the Sheriff's Office should it ever be needed to help identify the child in a crisis.

Wescott and other members of the Sheriff's Office have been out at many community events providing the ID service. Wescott said being in a retail store was the first time they had tried it in such location and he said the first couple of hours were pretty busy.

A car is off the road on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 396, which puts it about 8/10 of a mile east of the Slusser Road overpass.

Unknown injuries.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: Another caller indicates a vehicle is on its side. No person is seen outside the vehicle.

UPDATE 9:32 p.m.: First responder reports car on all four wheels. Mercy EMS can respond non-emergency.

A tractor-trailer fire has been reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 389.8.

The driver reported engine trouble. The turbo was revving fast and he was unable to power it down.

The fire is contained to the engine compartment at this time.

Unknown what cargo the truck is hauling.

Town of Batavia Fire Department responding.

UPDATE 9:17 p.m.: The location is just west of the State Street overpass. The visible fire is out. The driver reports the engine has seized up. The truck is hauling welding rods.

As part of our ongoing series of questions for candidates, we close with questions about "intellectual life."

From my perspective, to be qualified for office, it's not just about your policy positions, it's also about what you know, how you think and how you learn, because elected officials are asked to deal with problems that aren't always easily grasped by political ideology. Being intellectually curious is important to any job that's essentially a job of the mind.

The deadline for questions was Thursday at 11 a.m. None of the candidates, perhaps understandably, met the deadline. Kathy Hochul and Ian Murphy turned in answers Thursday evening.

In effort to get answers from either Jane Corwin or Jack Davis, I waited until Friday afternoon to post the questions and answers, but then we had a big breaking news story.

Jack eventually turned in partial answers. Jane Corwin, despite repeated calls and emails to Matthew Harakal, including one conversation in which he promised the answers "soon," we have yet to receive any answers. We requested them again today.

Below are the questions, after the jump, answers in the order received.

Perhaps write-in candidates Jeff Allen and JoAnne Rock would like to provide their answers in the comments.

What three books first published in the past 100 years have been most meaningful to you?

Name your three favorite songwriters and pick one song from one of those writers and tell us what that song has meant to you?

If you were asked to read a poem on the floor of the House of Representatives, what poem would it be and why?

Tell us about a museum you’ve visited any time in your life and how it had a lasting impact on your intellectual life or imagination.

Who is your favorite Western New York writer, musician or artist (any genre/style/medium)?

Do you have any hidden artistic talent? What is it (sing, draw, photography, etc.)?  If not, is there anything along those lines you aspire to -- ‘I really wish I could .... ?’

Kathy Hochul:

Q: What three books first published in the past 100 years have been most meaningful to you?

A: The three books that have been most meaningful to me are “American Tragedy” by Theodore Dreiser, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, and “Profiles in Courage” by John F. Kennedy.

Q: Name your three favorite songwriters and pick one song from one of those writers and tell us what that song has meant to you?

A: I actually have four favorite songwriters - Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Simon & Garfunkel. Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” always reminds me of people less fortunate who don’t have a voice.

Q: If you were asked to read a poem on the floor of the House of Representatives, what poem would it be and why?

A: I would read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. I have an independent streak and identify with the individualism of the poem.

Q: Tell us about a museum you’ve visited any time in your life and how it had a lasting impact on your intellectual life or imagination?

A: When I was 10-years-old I visited the National Archives on a trip to Washington with my family. I remember seeing the Constitution and The Declaration of Independence and being inspired by the tremendous challenges faced by our forefathers as they created the foundation for our country.

Q: Who is your favorite Western New York writer, musician or artist (any genre/style/medium)?

A: My favorite Western New York playwright is Tom Dudzick, who wrote the “Over the Tavern” series.

Q: Do you have any hidden artistic talent? What is it (sing, draw, photography, etc? If not, is there anything along those lines you aspire—‘I really wish I could…?’

A: I aspire to write short stories about the lives of the fascinating people I have come to meet in my life.

Ian Murphy:

What three books first published in the past 100 years have been most meaningful to you?

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins, and Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein.

Name your three favorite songwriters and pick one song from one of those writers and tell us what that song has meant to you?

Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, and Tampa Red. Anything by Tampa Red means something to me because he plays the kazoo. There has never been a more perfect folk instrument than the kazoo.

If you were asked to read a poem on the floor of the House of Representatives, what poem would it be and why?

I would read Carl Sandburg's I Am the People, the Mob:

I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass.

Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?
I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of the world’s food and clothes.
I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons come from me and the Lincolns. They die. And then I send forth more Napoleons and Lincolns.
I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will stand for much plowing. Terrible storms pass over me. I forget. The best of me is sucked out and wasted. I forget. Everything but Death comes to me and makes me work and give up what I have. And I forget.
Sometimes I growl, shake myself and spatter a few red drops for history to remember. Then—I forget.
When I, the People, learn to remember, when I, the People, use the lessons of yesterday and no longer forget who robbed me last year, who played me for a fool—then there will be no speaker in all the world say the name: “The People,” with any fleck of a sneer in his voice or any far-off smile of derision.
The mob—the crowd—the mass—will arrive then.

 ----

I'd read that piece to remind all the corporate flunkies who they really work for, and to remind the American people that they are ultimately in charge.

Tell us about a museum you’ve visited any time in your life and how it had a lasting impact on your intellectual life or imagination.

The Kazoo Museum in Eden, NY, sparked my life-long appreciation for the kazoo.

Who is your favorite Western New York writer, musician or artist (any genre/style/medium)?

Folk-blues singer Jackson C. Frank.

Do you have any hidden artistic talent?  What is it (sing, draw, photography, etc.)?  If not, is there anything along those lines you aspire to -- ‘I really wish I could .... ?’

I really wish I could play the kazoo.

Jack Davis

What three books first published in the past 100 years have been most meaningful to you?

Atlas Shrugged, the engineering textbook from UB are the first two. I'll get back to you on the third.

Do you have any hidden artistic talent?  What is it (sing, draw, photography, etc.)?  If not, is there anything along those lines you aspire to -- ‘I really wish I could .... ?’

I play trombone. (Though I admit I'm a bit out of practice.)

There is report of smoke in the hallway of an apartment at 106 State St.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: Burnt food. City fire back in service.

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The annual day of renewal in Bergen -- where community members come out to plant flowers and spruce up parks -- became a time for reflection this morning as the small village honored the memory of Eric C. Wall.

The 16-year-old Bergen resident was struck and killed by a train on Friday afternoon.

Pastors Matt Farrell of the United Methodist Church and Michael Merry of the Presbyterian Church led a short service and Mayor Ralph Marsocci said a few works of condolences.

Merry spoke briefly before singing a song, but said he didn't know what to say on an occasion such as this.

"We have a high school that’s in shock, a community that is in shock," Merry said. "We have people of all different walks of life and none of us know, and I don’t know, how to comfort all of you, but I do know, there is always hope. What I know of Eric and the Wall family, they would want us to continue. They would want us to plant flowers."

Farrell also spoke of hope, the hope that is in the community and the hope promised by Jesus Christ.

After the service, Merry said he's spoken with his own child about the dangers of the train tracks going through the village before, and he wished he had included the same thoughts in his own remarks.

"We have to be careful around the trains," Merry said. "They go by here all the time and so it’s easy to forget about taking basic precautions. We can take them for granted but they are dangerous. By the time a conductor sees you, it's too late. They can't stop quickly at all.

"What I tell my own child," he added,  "is if you see the arms start to come down, stop immediately -- even if you're 20 feet away. You’re not invincible. If you see the arms come down, stop and wait."

After the ceremony, Eric's 12-year-old brother, Grady, helped plant an apple tree in the fountain park less than 50 yards from where Eric was killed. The memorial tree was a gift from the community to young Grady.

Joe Gerace, left, Dorothy Schlaggel and Justin Calarco-Smith share a passion for helping cancer victims. As members of the Genesee Cancer Assistance Board of Directors, they took time to speak with me today about the upcoming Festival of Hope and 5K walk/run, the organization's major annual fundraiser.

Batavia Downs, at 8315 Park Road in Batavia, will host the event on Friday, June 3.

The 5k walk/run

The 5k walk/run is a new feature that was added to the Festival of Hope two years ago.

Registration starts at 4 p.m., followed by a "Lap of Honor" for cancer survivors at 5:45 and the official race at 6:15.

Schlaggel, an honorary board member and founder of Genesee Cancer Assistance, said this is not really going to be a "race," per se.

Calarco-Smith agreed.

"The competitiveness is still there," he said, "but it will be a competition to see who can raise the most money, not who gets to the finish line first."

People can run in teams or individually, and they can have people sponsor them or sponsor themselves.

Kids and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate.

"It's a family oriented event," Schlaggel said. "We want families to get involved because we help families."

Gerace, who is the Treasurer of Genesee Cancer Assistance, said that they welcome people from all different walks of life.

"We'd like to have school groups, church groups, business groups...anybody," he said.

Winners will be organized according to two overall categories: male and female. They won't be grouped by age.

Awards will be given to the following people (taken from the event flier):

• Individual walker and runner raising most in donations
• Team walkers and runners raising most in donations
• Team walkers and runners with most participants

Jogging strollers are allowed, so parents of small children should feel free to participate.

Admission is $25 for people 18 and over, $15 for people under 18.

"That money doesn't have to come out of your own pocket," Schlaggel said, having especially kids in mind. "You can go to your friends, your neighbors, or anybody you want and ask if they'll help you get into the race."

Registrants will get a T-shirt along with admission. There is no formal deadline, and people can register any time right up to, and including, the night of the race.

Additionally, for $5, kids will be able to do a "fun run" inside the track.

The festival

The Festival of Hope started in November 1995 and, in Schlaggel's words, has "just gotten bigger and bigger every year."

People don't have to run or walk to come to the festival. Anyone can go just to hang out or check out the activities for free -- although there will be costs for specific activities and for the food.

Features of this year's festival include:

• A Chinese auction
• Outdoor raffles, which will include jerseys signed by Buffalo Sabres Derek Roy and Jason Pominville
• $10 haircuts from licensed practitioners
• Massages
• Manicures from BOCES students
• Face-painting for the kids
• A "kids' zone," where, among other things, kids will get to make their own ice cream sundaes
• Free pizza from all of the local pizzerias in Batavia (served in the evening)
• Luminaria (candles), and possibly also a video, commemorating cancer victims and survivors

Calarco-Smith said they also hope to get Sabretooth, the Sabres' mascot, to make an appearance.

Gerace, Schlaggel and Calarco-Smith are inviting everyone to come, even if they don't plan to participate in the race.

"Genesee Cancer Assistance is always there when you need them," Calarco-Smith said. "We invite people to come spend an evening with us, and just see what we're all about."

"Once you're out there," Gerace said, "you'll be hooked, and you'll want to come back every year."

Schlaggel responded to this by recalling a little girl with leukemia who started coming to the festival years ago.

"Now she's about 24 years old, and she comes every year with her mom and grandmother."

All of the money raised through the festival and the race will stay right here in Genesee County.

Genesee Cancer Assistance

After the American Cancer Society closed its Batavia chapter about 20 years ago, Schlaggel, who used to serve on their board, wanted to form a local organization to address the difficulties facing families and individuals battling cancer.

She's had a couple of personal brushes with cancer herself. Her brother died of cancer in the early 1980s, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989.

"At some point in their lives, everyone is somehow affected by cancer," Calarco-Smith said.

Schlaggel was lucky enough to survive her bout with breast cancer, and is being honored this year as a survivor.

"A lot of people think I'm dead," she commented, "because it says, 'In honor of Dorothy Schlaggel.' I'd like everyone to know that I'm very much alive."

Calarco-Smith said the local assistance group wouldn't exist if not for her.

"It all started with her," Calarco-Smith said. "It's time she gets recognized for everything she's done for the people here in Genesee County."

Assistance given by Genesee Cancer Assistance -- which is an entirely local organization with no administrators and only one paid employee -- varies from case to case. Some of their most common provisions are assistance with co-pays and the purchase of wigs for patients going through chemotherapy.

In cases where people need to travel to receive treatment, Genesee Cancer Assistance will also pay for gas mileage and, if necessary, for babysitters. There was even a case where a woman living in a second-floor apartment couldn't stand the summer heat while undergoing chemo, so they paid for an air conditioner.

"(Assistance) is need-based," Schlaggel said.

Whatever a person or family's needs are, the demand for such a group can't be denied.

"Cancer is our number one killer (in the United States)," Gerace said. "But Genesee Cancer Assistance just keeps getting better, bigger and stronger."

"We won't go away until cancer goes away," Schlaggel said.

Some other important notes

If anyone needs a break during the evening, Gerace said Batavia Downs is permitting people to set up "comfort stations" on the grounds.

"People can bring chairs and pitch a tent if they want to get out of the sun for a minute. We want them to be comfortable."

Gerace also wants to assure people that alcohol will not be allowed at the event, which will take place in the downstairs portion of the Downs and outside.

"If anyone wants to drink or gamble, they'll have to go to the second floor."

If you have any questions or would like more information, call Justin Calarco-Smith at 356-1668 or email manumana@aol.com.

To learn more about Genesee Cancer Assistance, go to www.geneseecancerassistance.com.

Supplemental Video: Lincoln Tunnel Challenge (NYC)

Speaking of races, here's some "home video" footage I took while walking/running the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge with my cousins and siblings about a month ago. Hopefully, this will give people some inspiration and "pep."

This race through the Lincoln Tunnel, which takes runners from the New Jersey side to the New York City side and back again, is held every year to raise money for the Special Olympics.

A two-car motor accident with minor injuries is reported at 10705 Alexander Road in Alexander.

Alexander Fire Department on scene along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Patient declined medical treatment. All units back in service.

Here's a news release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) recently responded to the introduction of a new income tax on business owners and individuals, expressing his frustration that the Assembly Majority insists on beating a dead horse with an extension of the income surcharge on New York’s job creators and high earners. The measure has consistently been opposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Senate Majority, and the Assembly Minority.

“Trying to force new income taxes through the Legislature is like trying to pound a square peg into a round hole,” said Hawley. “The Governor doesn’t support it. The Senate doesn’t support it. Our Assembly Minority conference doesn’t support it.

“This is a dead issue. During this year’s budget process, state government made a commitment to New Yorkers that we were not going to continue the broken process of tax-and-spend that has pushed businesses and families across state lines for years. We should be focusing on providing property tax relief to homeowners and mandate relief for local governments, rather than finding new ways to kill jobs and punish success.”

According to data from the Treasury Department released in 2009, 71 percent of similarly structured income taxes come from business owners and investors.